Power-operated washboard



l atented July 13, 1 926 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFECE.

POWER-OPERATED WASHBOARD.

Application filed September 28, 1924. Serial No. 740,094.

This invention relates to power operated washboards so constructed as to provide for reciprocation of the rubbing element. The various features of novelty and invention will appear from the detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings and will be particularly set forth in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the back of the washboard, parts being broken away to more clearly show the construction.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the front of the washboard; and

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the side bars of the washboard are indicated by'numeral 1, and 2 indicates a cross bar suitably connected to the side bars 1. The top of the washboard is preferably provided with a board 3 surrounded by a frame 4, said board 3 being suitably attached to the side bars 1.

The rubbing element is indicated at 5 and is preferably in the nature of a board provided with suitable ridges as is customary in washboards. The ridges are preferably formed in a plate secured to the said board 5 as will be readily understood. The rubbing element or board 5 is slidably mounted with respect to the frame of the washboard by means of a pair of rods (isecured to the side bars 1 by means of brackets 7, the said board 5 being provided with bearings 8 which are slidably received on said rods 6.

Secured tothe side bars 1 so as to overlie the corrugations on the rubbing element 5 are trimming members 9 to prevent the clothes from being caught between the side bars 1 and the rubbing element.

Extending across the back of the washboard and suitably secured to the side bars 1 is a cross piece 10 between which and the rubbing element 5 is mounted certain of the mechanism for imparting reciprocating motion to the rubbing element. This mechamsm is preferably in the nature of a worm wheel 11 mounted within a housing 12 which is secured to the cross piece 10 in any suitable manner. Secured to the gear 11 or the shaft thereof is a crank arm 13 which at its outer extremity is connected with a pitman 14 which is suitably anchored to the rubbing element as at 15. For driving the worm wheel 11 there is provided a worm 16 within the housing 12, the shaft of said worm projecting therebeyond and suitably coupled as at 17 to the shaft of an electric motor 18 which latter is suitably secured to the board 3 at the top of the washboard.

It will now be seen that I have provided a Washboard which Will enable the operator to hold theclothes to be washed without exerting any effort in rubbing them up and down by hand as has heretofore been customary, the movable washboard element relieving the operator of this exercise. The rate of reciprocation of the washboard element 5 can be made as rapid as desired. The improved washboard is constructed in such a manner that there is little, if any likelihood of any parts becoming deranged and no likelihood of the clothes becoming caught in the machinery.

What I claim is:

A power operated washboard comprising 7 a frame having spaced supports thereon, a clothes rubbing board having its upper surface corrugated arranged for sliding movement upon said supports, power means mounted upon the back of the frame above said board, means operatively connecting said board with said power means whereby reciprocal movement may be imparted to the former by the latter so that the clothes tobe washed may be held against the board and cleansed by the reciprocal movement of the corrugated surface thereagainst.

In testimon whereof I affix my signature.

%RNEST C. GUNUSKEY. 

